NORTHFIELD

Analysis for Northfield Park
April 2, 2001

	Race #1
#3 TRENTWOOD	Debuts for the Belcher stable tonight after that strong parked the mile win at this level last week. I'm curious as to how much he was purchased for. With this small field he should have the needed striking position at 3/4's and with the change in driver/trainer this one looks hard to beat. Should repeat and do very well for this stable in the future.
#2 LOOKIN FOR SPEED	Had been getting roughed up in recent weeks and that has cost him many wins, so last week he stayed inside and didn't get room until it was too late. Tonight he should be able to catch an easier trip and might even have the lead. He is a game/classy horse that is very tough when left alone on the front end. From the inside he is a gimmick must.
#4 BERLIN FLYER	Is the class of this race and with 2 starts under his belt following that winter layoff he should be rounding into form. He returns to his favorite oval tonight and I expect a "wake-up" mile tonight. Serious contender.

	Race #2
#6 HEY JACK	Broke as the gate opened last week, but settled down nicely and brushed the lead by the 1/4. He cut an honest pace and was game in defeat to a very nice horse. He will have to be used a bit harder to make the lead tonight, but this field isn't as tough as that last one and he should make amends for last week's broken 1-2 promise.
#1 SIMBA N	Was without room on the rail for much of the mile last week and did finish evenly with some pace in the lane. Grismore is back aboard and he seems to be getting the most out of this one. Off the rail he should try for a 2-hole and with such he could finish out the exacta.
#5 BIG CASH OSBORNE	Is a horse that sits on the rail and hopes for the best late. He is a consistent check getter but has lacked the punch to do much more than that at this level. His best can share in here.

	Race #3
#4 SPICY BAG	Makes her first lifetime start tonight and finds herself in very soft. She did not fire in her qualifier but this barn often reserves most of their ability for their first start. The horses this one faced in her qualifier would destroy these by more than 20 lengths and that alone gives this one a slight edge.
#5 SHANIA B	Makes her sophomore debut after a most freshman campaign that saw her go a few decent qualifiers in Indiana. Her most recent qualifying effort isn't much on paper, but this barn typically sends their young trotters out ready. Tab the tote.
#3 HERE SHE COMES	Has the most recent experience of any in here and always seems to get a check. She does not like to win, so she is terrible win value, however, she is a must in here for gimmick play.

	Race #4
#4 FEAR THIS	Debuts for Belcher tonight after a couple of starts for a lesser stable since the claim. He was put on Lasix 2 races back and it may be starting to help. This one is loaded with speed and takes a big class drop tonight (below that which he was claimed). I expect this one to go down the road and if he isn't heavily pressured he should be able to last a long time.
#8 DOOZER	Left last week and was able to get a good early seat. He then made a big 3 wide move going to 3/4's and almost won. He is getting better and should be tight enough for another big effort. The post will make the price better and with some racing luck he will be right there.
#9 FIVE POCKET	Was used much too hard early in the last mile and that cost him in the final 1/4. He will be able to save some of that speed tonight starting from the 2nd tier. I expect he will be a bit of an overlay tonight and he merits a lot of consideration.
#7 PAPANOKNOW	Was best of the rest against a very similar field last week and is a good superfecta throw-in tonight.

	Race #5
#3 SHINING CAM	Is 3rd time Lasix tonight and gets MAJOR class relief, dropping to the bottom for the first time. She has trouble with her stride at time, but Case opted for this one over another in here and after last weeks time aboard I'm sure he learned something. This is a very beatable field of maiden/claimers and she has a slight edge.
#6 GOULD MAGIC	Changed tactics last week and it almost worked. He cut the mile and was just beat in the final strides by the favorite. Hawk is aboard tonight and I expect him to leave again. He seems to be getting better and is a gimmick must in here and possible upsetter.
#2 INALEAGUE OFHEROWN	Has good early foot and will be forwardly placed throughout. She has lacked any real pop in the lane but from the inside with B. Miller she has an edge over most others in here.

	Race #6
#1 EXECUTIVE MACHO	Hasn't been in this cheap in a LONG time. He has very good early foot and has a destinct class edge over all of these. Add to that the benefit of the rail and Case and this one looks tough to beat in here.
#3 PINE DRIVE CEASER	Gets a bit of class relief tonight after making a bold first over charge to a very good horse last week. He has very good early speed and may be leaving for a 2-hole in here. If he gets it he will be right there in the end.
#9 BANK YOUR PROFIT	Is another in here that is moving down in class. He gets the 6th different driver in as many starts and seems to prefer some over others. However, from the 2nd tier he should be able to stay close to the pace and may be decent value in the gimmicks.

	Race #7
#3 TWO TAILS	Drops back to the level where he was claimed and should be much better tonight. Last time out he went his best mile for these new connections and the upswing may continue. The driver is young and inexperienced, and that is a concern, however, this field is beatable. Slight edge.
#1 ALBERT'S ANGEL	Left last week and got the 2 hole and followed a standout winner for a nice 2nd place finish. He is going well right now and from the rail he will use his speed to his advantage. He is a gimmick must in here.
#7 GEM MASTER	Took advantage of a driver change last week and battled first over to a much better field and did so gamely. Tonight he gets even a better driver and despite the post he merits serious consideration.

	Race #8
#2 ASHWOOD MARTY	Makes his first start in almost a year and the qualifier signals readiness. He only has 1 lifetime start but that was a very good one that saw this one battle first over and just miss. This field does not have any standout horse and he gets a slight edge.
#4 MINER'S SON	Is a very BIG horse that has some difficulty with the 4 turns at Northfield. He also has a lot of speed and tonight gets B. Miller. He will be leaving from the word go and if he doesn't encounter road trouble he will make his pressence felt at the finish.
#3 LIMON OVER	Doesn't look like much on paper but does get Case tonight and that may be good enough to make him best of the rest in here.

	Race #9
#3 SQUARE IT	Finds himself in a sweet spot tonight for the first leg of this $4000 claiming series. He has been facing better and doing so with success. He has good early speed and should be able to make the lead in fine shape tonight. With one easy quarter they will have a hard time catching him.
#4 GATOR MAN	Came back to the races ready after taking almost 1/2 a year off. I imagine he was brought back specifically for this series. He has good gate speed and may seek a 2 hole trip behind the top pick. He has physical problems that limit his racing days, but he looks to be good value in the gimmicks.
#7 ADABOYSHARPIE	Was forced 3 wide on the final turn and lost a lot of ground to the inside horses but still managed to close up well. He gets Case tonight and that only makes him more dangerous. The post will help the price. Consider.

	Race #10
#1 DON'T QUESTION ME	Has been going VERY well lately, much better than he was all of last year. He has battled first over and done so very well. Grismore opted for this one over the #6 and that makes this one very dangerous. The rail will only help. Good value in here.
#7 THE SWAGGER KING	Is a royally bred gelding that is just learning the game. Last week he had a very good lesson, battling first over and holding his position in the lane. He is being brought along slowly and has a good racing future. From out here he will need some luck, but still he must be considered.
#6 POWERFULLY OAK	Just missed last week at this level, though that was from the inside. He has done VERY well since coming to Northfield and with Case in the bike tonight expect another big effort.

	Race #11
#4 SAND NILE	Drops into a sweet spot for the first leg of this claiming trot series. He fared very well in a tougher claiming trot series earlier in the meet and looks to have an edge over others in here. This one possesses a strong brush and with Case in the bike you can count on it being used at the right time.
#5 CHINNY CHIN CHIN	Is another that had his share of success in that previous series. He took some time off after that event and has come back to the races a bit off. I imagine this series was what they were pointing for and tonight he should go much harder. Big shot in here.
#6 BARN SEVEN	Looks to be the best of the rest in here. He has good early speed and Belcher's barn is going well right now. He should be able to stay close to the pace and that makes him a gimmick must.

	Race #12
#4 HORNBY TOPGUN	Drops down after battling much better in a recent claiming series. Last week he battled valiantly first over and tired in the lane. He has a wicked late kick and will be flying late. B. Miller is up tonight and that makes him even more dangerous. Edge in here.
#2 MATANZA	Steps up one more time off a sharp win. He is loaded with speed and going very well right now. Case took this one over two others in here and will have him pointed for the front. Though it won't be as easy tonight he still looks like he can threaten in here.
#1 AJs LUCKY CAM	Draws the rail and that will keep him close tonight. He has proven that he can follow and finish with pace and that is what he looks to do tonight. Longshot value in gimmicks.

	Race #13
#5 MATTROPOLIS	Was too far back last week and was blind-switched going to 3/4's. He tipped out 3 and 4 wide on the last turn and only had a little kick, however, by then the leader was long gone so I'm not sure how much he tried. He should be tighter with 2 starts under his belt and has a slight edge in here.
#6 LAND SAM	Drops one notch in class tonight and that may be enough. He's been closing a little bit against better into fast fractions. B. Miller opts for this one and he may be able to track the above's every move. Chance to share.
#9 TUCSON FUN TIME	Is having a pretty off year so far but finds a field he can share against. From the 2nd tier he is a gimmick consideration.

	Race #14
#6 MAGIC MARTY	Was leaving for the front last time when a horse inside broke and forced this one VERY wide and made him take up to a near halt. From there he got back rolling and found the 3 hole very late in the first 1/4. He tripped out and found room late only to finish evenly. He drops down to the level he was claimed at and should be able to make the lead in good shape tonight. Big shot at a price.
#3 KNOTEWORTHY WOLF	Chased a fast 3/4's under the whip last week and pounced on a tired leader to win going away. He is void of early foot and will be under a drive early in the mile...that's just the way this one goes. B. Miller will have him doing his best after 3/4's and is a strong contender.
#2 CEMETERY RIDGE	Has 2 wins in a row and has looked very good both times out. He missed last week and that is a bit of concern. However, from the inside he is still a possibility against these.
#8 EXCEL	Broke after the gate opened last time out, but there is a broken equipment mark in the line. He was going very well before that and if he minds his manners he could be a very good overlay and superfecta throw-in in here.